On Wednesday 20th October local people joined the national day of action against the government’s Nationality and Borders Bill, otherwise known as the Anti-refugee Bill.
The day of action was part of a wider week of activities called by the #TogetherWithRefugees coalition of refugee and asylum seekers support organisations and campaign groups. The coalition called on people across the country to come together against the vicious measures being put in place by the government, which have been deemed by some legal experts to be illegal under domestic and international law
Activities and demonstrations took place around the country, including a large demonstration in London. In Stoke we assembled outside Swift House, which has been earmarked as a potential new site for Home Office jobs. We heard from a range of speakers including trans rights activists, the Stoke KillTheBill Alliance, and ASHA North Staffordshire. We were also joined by the West Midlands Campaign Manager from Asylum Matters.
The unifying message was that refugees are welcome here! And that we oppose the government’s hostile environment that makes life more difficult and dangerous for those who are seeking a safe place to lead their lives. We say we don’t want racist Priti Patel’s Home Office in our city! We want jobs for our NHS and children’s services – not for border police and dawn raids on our neighbours!
For a great outline of why we should oppose the Anti-refugee Bill watch this session from the Stand Up To Racism International Conference earlier this month – <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://<!– wp:paragraph –> <p>For a great explanation of why we should oppose the Anti-refugee Bill watch this great session from the Stand Up To Racism International Conference earlier this month – 'https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLlighE4PoE</p> ‘No hostile environment – Uniting against the Nationality & Borders Bill’ with speakers form the Refugee Council, Care4Calais, Afghan Human Rights Foundation, and more.
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